Ruger Mini 14

[Guest]

I was wondering if anybody had any thoughts on the Mini 14 as a MBR - I have heard in the past there is some accuracy issues. but it does look like an affordable rifle

[protus]

Ak is cheaper...cheaper parts, cheaper mags, better reliabilty......same accuracy..

[jmsneorrcom]

I know there has been discussion on AKs on the boards, but once again is there any brands to stay away from?

[Hawkeye]

Ak is cheaper...cheaper parts, cheaper mags, better reliabilty......same accuracy..

Ditto, except better accuracy in my experience.

[rice paddy daddy]

I bought an AK during the 2008 presidential race. I find the ergonomics are dreadful. My Mini 14 fits me like a glove.
The so called lack of accuracy of the Mini would be relevant for target shooting, for sure, but it's accurate enough for a gun fight or combat.

[Hawkeye]

Maybe they vary, because the one I had, wasnt. Caveat....this was back in the mid 90's.

[biathlon]

The sks and mini 14 are not Main Battle Rifles. They are carbines. The M1, M-14, FN FAL, H&K91, AR10 are main battle rifles.

[Klayton]

@biathlon: carbine refers to length of barrel, MBR refers to any weapon capable of firing a full power rifle cartridge... :)

So saying an M16 that fires the puny 5.56 is an MBR and a mini 14 that fires the exact same round is not is a little "splitting hairs".

That being said, there are alot of shooters out there just as accurate with a carbine than a full length barrel "rifle". The use of the scope was a huge change in this agreed. Carbines, with todays newer, cleaner, faster burning powders usually can make almost full use of a carbine, with only a slight increase in velocity out of a longer barrel. :)

[Benn Gleck]

Klayton, Biathlon didn't say the M16 was an MBR.

I consider an MBR as a rifle that fires a FULL power rifle round like .308, 7.62x54r, 8mm etc.

Have you ever read Boston's Gun Bible? Boston calls the ak47, m16, sks, mini 14 battle carbines.

My MBR is the HK91. Its big its heavy but its reliable.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I'm staying outta the politcs here, man you guys wear me out with it and the lack of actual help
The mini is a good weapon, not great but good IMHO. I never could get used to the mag reloads with speed but thats just me and a few others I know. I like the safety where it is and ammo is cheap which will lead to more practice hopefully and make you better with it. It like all rifles have limitations and as long as you get to know it and them it will serve you well. Try it for feel if possible before buying one.

[biathlon]

OK, so I got the length thing wrong but you get the point. Let's say, just as a fer instance, how do you think the fight at Roberts Ridge in afghanistan woulda turned out if those guys had been toting M1s instead of M4s?

[Klayton]

point taken biathlon :)

one needs to determine what weapon is best for what situation

I could easily use my .22 for anti-piracy, good range, very accurate, and extremely easy to put 3 rounds in someone before they hit cover... as a side bonus the low report reduces chances of triangulation on my position... and one final bonus, in PAW doctors are non-existent, and meds are almost impossible... a .22 round in the belly will kill anybody from the infection/lead poisoning (the reason I buy .22 lead bullets over copper plated)... shoot and move sniper, shoot and move...

:) :) :)

but in reality, anything over 50yds I would want to use my 30-30 or 44-40, over 100 yds my .338 Federal, over 500yds, well right now I have nothing for that category, but could use my .338 if I had to...

[rice paddy daddy]

Semantics aside, the SKS was used by the NVA and the Viet Cong, and was effective.
And a Mini 14 will kill a man just as dead as a Garand.

[Klayton]

Nice series on the mini-14 :)

Hope this helps.
~Klayton

[Rmplstlskn]

Hey, George Clooney as "The American," a professional hitman & assassin, uses a scoped Ruger Mini-14 as his chosen assassination weapon... It's gotta be good! Right?

Seriously, I owned one back as a teenager and liked it a lot... Never a reliability issue, but magazines have been and will remain to be a possible problem area. Lots of junk mags out there...

But for the price they still get for a Mini-14, I would get an SKS or AK...

Rmpl